Popping pimples probably isn’t something most of us think much about. We just do it. Sure, dermatologists tell you not to, but what’s the big deal?
Well, as a mom of three recently found, popping that unsightly blemish could literally put your life in jeopardy.
Creator Alisha (@lishmarie1) had to seek medical help soon after popping a pimple in the so-called triangle of death region of her face.
Now, she’s on four different prescriptions to treat would could’ve become a deadly infection.
“Reminder—DO NOT POP a pimple in the death triangle,” Alisha writes in the onscreen caption of a recent TikTok. “Or you’ll end up at urgent care.”
She zooms in to show inflammation under one nostril. Then she cracks a grin, but only the side opposite the pimple moves.
Via direct message, Alisha told the Mary Sue that the situation escalated rapidly from pimple popping to medical emergency.
“I decided to seek medical help when I woke up at 4 a.m. (only 5 hours later) with my face swollen and in excruciating pain,” she said.
Alisha said that the staff at urgent care assured her that she did the right thing by coming in right away.
“The urgent care team was really nice and didn’t make me feel embarrassed at all,” she said. “They were very helpful and gave me a few prescriptions to prevent the infection from getting worse.”
Her post is unlocking a new fear for people across the web. As of this writing, Alisha’s TikTok has racked up 5.2 million views in just a few days.
Death by pimple
The triangle of death may sound like an episode of Stranger Things, but it is a real place on your face.
Also known as the danger triangle, the triangle of death extends from above the bridge of your nose to either side of your mouth.
The blood vessels in this region drain directly into the sinus cavity behind the eye sockets, which has a direct connection to the brain.
Due to the extremely short distance from the surface to the brain, it is possible for an infection or clot caused by one (known as cavernous sinus thrombosis) to travel rapidly to your brain, which could kill you. Cleveland Clinic reports that cavernous sinus thrombosis is deadly in about one in three cases.
Experts note that it is incredibly rare.
Still, as National Geographic reports, there is a chance you could exit the mortal plane or have a serious medical emergency, all thanks to popping a zit. Infections in the triangle of death have been known to require hospitalization and surgery or cause partial face paralysis.
So think before you squeeze.
Learning a lesson the hard way
Alisha sidestepped a potential brush with death. Now she’s using her platform to educate others about the triangle of death—with a dash of humor.
She’s posted multiple updates reassuring concerned viewers that she is indeed on the mend.
“Pimple update: I’m fine. I’m alive,” Alisha says in the latest one, adding with a chuckle, “I did not think that video was going to get 2 million views.”
Her TikToks have people feeling like they’ve been cheating death.
“Just found out I’ve been getting lucky for 30 years,” wrote one stunned observer.
A few said they’ve also had harrowing experiences caused by popping a pimple in the triangle of death.
“I almost died from this,” Courtney shared. “It’s no joke, was hospitalized for a week and a half and had surgery.”
Naturally, a few naysayers have essentially reacted to Alisha’s warning with a shrug. “Try and stop me,” wrote one.
Their body, their choice, whether to pop that zit. But Alisha hopes learning about her experience may make some pause before they pop.
“It’s insane how many people don’t understand the risks and think I was overreacting!” Alisha said.
@lishmarie1 ♬ Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64, Act I: No. 13, Dance of the Knights – Mariinsky Orchestra & Valery Gergiev
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